Like so many people that have already reported Quantum, I saw the ad on-line while trying to find a job. It sounded too good to be true for me - and that probably should have been the first warning sign. It said the exact same thing as all these other reports say. Hiring now - no experience necessary - not a door-to-door sales job or telemarketing position. Sounded good - a career opportunity in marketing with no experience necessary in today's economy. RED LIGHT! At least, looking back.
But I had been out of a job for awhile and was very eager to start getting a paycheck. I sent them my resume and I got an e-mail back exactly like the one posted by another individual, but the company name was different - it said Twin City Events, Inc instead. The e-mail, also from vicky layden, asked me to come in for a preliminary interview. Nothing out of the ordinary there. So I got dressed up and went in for an interview.
When I got there, I was asked to fill out an application - which was a joke. One last employer, school, references. Thats it. I also showed up to find several others in the waiting room - which had giant checks on the walls from Quantum made out to D.A.R.E. And other such charities and organizations. They even had a letter from Pres. Bush on the wall regarding D.A.R.E. (This is how far this company goes to make themselves seem legit). The waiting room - which an office really shouldn't have a standing waiting room either - looked crappy. The furniture was not very nice and at least 10 years old. This all seemed weird to me, but they presented themselves as a new company that was needing to expand because they picked up new "campaigns" - which they also lead you to believe are the charities they pretend to be representing/helping.
So I waited anxiously to be called back for my interview with the hiring manager. It turned out that the hiring managers were also the owners/presidents of the place - again, odd. And, the interview lasted all of 5-10 minutes (they weren't looking to waste anyone's time they said - ha! All they do is waste your time). They said that they were seeing other applicants, but that they would be in contact if they were interested in having me come in for a second interview - which would last about 8 hours because you learn the job to see if you are a right fit for the job and if the job is a right fit for you.
I got a call back from them asking me to come in for a second "interview". I showed up at 9:30 AM. The secretary (also the oldest person working there by at least 10 years) was on the phone setting up more preliminary interviews - which also seemed pretty odd. The waiting room was full - about 8 of us total. We had to sign a form saying that we were not getting paid for anything we did that day. Like dumbasses we all signed it.
While we waited for over a half an hour for anything to happen, we got to hear the employees in the room roaring - I'm guessing this was atmosphere and their psyching up process — weirdness. Finally we were told that we were going to be paired up with a team leader/trainer and going out into the field. We would be riding with them in their vehicle — LEAVE HERE! Otherwise you will be stuck in a car with them for 30-60 minutes while you drive to "the field".
The drive there, she was asking me questions about my resume and about marketing - setting it up like it may really be about marketing - ha again! We get to our territory - A SAM'S CLUB and then she tells me that we have to be outside all day. Well, in Minnesota that day, it was below 32 degrees, snowing/raining and very windy. And here I am in a nice, dressy, professional outfit (which I was told to wear) and heels. Meanwhile, the other girl keeps a duffle bag in her car of warm clothes - extra socks, mittens, gloves, scarves, long underwear, boots (3 kinds), shirts, sweatshirts, sweater, pants, snow pants, etc. She's warm - I'm freezing! No one should have to wear that much to work. She tells me very little about the company and what is going on. All I knew was pretty much what the public learns when they are pitched.
Pretty much: with Operation Smile (which is really a wonderful non-profit organization that provides free surgery for children with facial deformities such as cleft palette in other countries); selling Victoria Jackson cosmetics at 85% off; proceeds go to Operation Smile. Seems like we're volunteers almost.
Well, I put up with the freezing cold for the day - after all, I was 45 minutes from my car and 90 minutes from my house. I was totally stuck. I had been told that there would be a quiz on the "5 steps to a conversation" and their "8 keys to success". Not much crazy here - just how to sell items to people and basis sense stuff. The best one of the 8 was "know why you're here" as in know for yourself why you are taking the job. It has to be a personal selfish reason that requires money because it DEFINITELY is not for charities and getting paid (which is how they present it). Throughout the day, there were small things that made me wonder about the company and how it all worked, but any question I asked got me a no-answer answer.
We finally got back to the office - frozen to the bone by this point - and I had to wait and wait and wait for my third and final interview. They explained how to advance in the company. They offered me a position, which because I was desperate for a job, I readily accepted. They asked me to start the next day - a Saturday.
I got to the office at 8:30am. I had to fill out paperwork, sign a contract saying that it was all commission-based sales. Because I had been assigned to the Operation Smiles campaign, I had to sign an ethics thing about it. Ethics, funny right? Then the Team Leader I'd be going out with - someone planning on moving up to Assistant Manager soon - gave me a "lesson" on how to sell. The games and mimics were already becoming apparant. Then we went into the employee's room. They were playing a game - Mafia. No idea what it is. Then the "meeting" started.
The president of North Star Events, Brian, ran the mtg. Everything was odd. We stood in a circle while he yelled juice 4 times and some other wierd stuff. It seemed really weird and cult-ish. Then they made the new employees (of which I was one) come up to the "front of the circle", whatever that could ever mean, and say your name and where you see yourself in 5-20 weeks - which they tell you ahead of time should be assistant manager if you are on track.
Then we left to go back out into the field. Again, I rode with the team leader, and again, we went to a Sam's Club, and AGAIN we had to stand outside and peddle our goods like homeless people. The whole time I kept thinking that I am becoming one of those people that drive you crazy when I leave the store. What am I doing??? Again, i wanted to leave and just quit. Unprofessional I know, but whatever. We left after selling almost $100 worth of stuff. Which means, that at 35% commission, I made about $35 before taxes. My gas that day alone cost me $20. And I worked over 9 hours, stood outside in the freezing cold hasselling people for no good reason because only 5% (they claim) goes to the charity. No thank you.
I acted like everything was cool all day so I could find out more information and I started putting the pieces together. This place does not make sense. I thought it was odd that there were two companies within one office and no mention ever of the company whose name was on those giant checks in the waiting room. I made sure to make note of that name. When I got home, I wanted to research the company. I googled quantum events and promotions and wow! Over 20 hits on this website alone!
However, there was only one mention of the company in minnesota, so I felt I should warn others. I wasted over $60 in gas and tons of time on this place. Hopefully others won't do the same.
I don't even think that the employees realize that it is a pyramid - otherwise why would they stay? You may make money at the top - which isn't even proven - but no one else can be making the money you're told you're going to make.
I would like to mention one other thing. There was a complaint written by a man in Cottage Grove a few monthes ago on this website which I read.in a round about way, I heard about the event in which he was complaining. While on my "day of observance"/second interview, we were asked if we were the same group that does DARE or Toys for Tots - which they also do as well as the FW1 spray mentioned in other complaints. The team leader gave, again, a no-answer answer and played dumb. I asked her about that, why she couldn't know that he helped out other charities. I was told that there was a DARE event a few months where a man got very upset claiming that how the money was donated to the charities was misrepresented to him - which has made them also very careful about their words. Now they ONLY say SUPPORT, never anything else.
But, now, DARE cannot got back to any Cub Foods. But if the companies do not know that Operaiton Smile is affiliated with DARE, Operation Smile can still go to Cub Foods. So, I hope that man reads this and knows that he did make a difference. All businesses that allow "charities" to set up shop on their store grounds need to be aware of what they are helping to support.
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